Gas liquid withdrawal valve

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for attachment to the opening on top of a pressurized container and adapted to selectively withdraw liquid or gas therefrom. It comprises a valve body adapted to be fitted to the opening of a container. The valve body is fitted with a disc valve having one or more openings which may be selectively rotated to vent either a tubular member extending from the valve body into the container so as to withdraw liquid, or an opening in the base of the valve body communicating with the gas above the liquid. A plunger, biased by a double-acting resilient member such as a spring, is provided in the top of the valve in order to externally vent the valve after the disc has been rotated to withdraw either liquid or vapor from the container. The doubleacting resilient member is additionally biased against a pressure relief member in a housing within the valve body and an externally venting conduit is provided in the housing. In a preferred embodiment the housing coacts with the plunger and venting conduits are provided in the base of the plunger.

United States Patent [72] Inventors John J. Potter, Jr.;

William J. Hamel, SlaAlbans, W. Va. 21 1 Appl. No. 775,427 [22] Filed Nov. 13, 1968 [45] Patented May 18, 1971 [73] Assignee Union Carbide Corporation New York, NY.

541 I GAS LIQUID WITHDRAWAL VALVE 5 Claims, 4 [hearing Figs. [52] US. I 222/4, 222/396, 222/402. 1 7, ZZZ/402.25 [5|] lntCl B67b7/24 [50]; .lleldoi Search ....222/402.l8, 397; 222/4, 396, 402.17, 402.25 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,430,820 3/ 1969 Winters et al ZZZ/402.17 3,459,220 8/1969 Morse 222/4 FOREIGN PATENTS 925,295 5/l963 Great Britain 222/396 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-H. S. Lane Attorneys-Paul A. Rose, Louis C. Smith, Jr., Robert J. Eichelburg, Francis M. Fazio and Vincent P. Pirri ABSTRACT: A device is provided for attachment to the opening on top of a pressurized container and adapted to selectively withdraw liquid or gas therefrom. It comprises a valve body adapted to be fitted to the opening of a container. The valve body is fitted with a disc valve having one or more openings which may be selectively rotated to vent either a tubular member extending from the valve body into the container so as to withdraw liquid, or an opening in the base of the valve body communicating with the gas above the liquid. A plunger, biased by a double-acting resilient member such as a spring, is provided in the top of the valve in order to externally vent the valve after the disc has been rotated to withdraw either liquid or vapor from the container. The double-acting resilient member is additionally biased against a pressure relief member in a housing within the valve body and an externally venting conduit is provided in the housing. In a preferred embodiment the housing coacts with the plunger and venting conduits are provided in the base of the plunger.

PATENTED HAYI8|97I $578788 SHEET 2 UF 2 INVENT JOHN J. pofiEfi WILLIAM J. HAMEL klb-ufi'm I ORNEY GAS LlQUllD WITHDRAWAL VALVE This invention relates to valves and in particular to a specially constructed valve suitable for selective withdrawal of vapor or liquid from a pressurized container.

ln withdrawing fluids from a pressurized vessel containing both vapor and liquid under pressure, it is sometimes desirable to withdraw vapor and at other times to withdraw liquid only. There are several valves or similar devices which, when mounted on or attached to the top of such pressure vessels permit the withdrawal of vapor or liquid selectively. Typical valves of this kind are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,365,423 and 3,021,870. However, these valves as well as many others which are currently in use are often complicated to construct and expensive to fabricate.

In the shipment of refrigerants in recent years it has become increasingly necessary and commercially desirable to ship the refrigerant (usually fluorocarbons) in low-cost, pressurized cylinders without a conventional discharge valve. Simplicity of construction and economy of fabrication of such cylinders have become of paramount commercial importance and have in turn resulted in the use of so-called disposable cylinders which can be discarded after one use by the customer. Simplicity in cylinder construction has in turn necessitated simplicity and economy of the types of dispensing mechanisms and devices which must be employed with such cylinders.

Accordingly, this invention provides a valve device which can be readily attached on a pressurized vessel containing both vapor and liquid under pressure and which can be conveniently operated to withdraw vapor or liquid selectively. The valve described herein is simple and inexpensive to construct and is therefore readily adaptable for use with such disposable cylinders, although it is equally adaptable for reusable cylinders.

The present invention will be more clearly comprehended from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the valve device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view ofa section in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a portion of a pressure relief member 26 within the valve of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 1 taken along the line 4-4.

Referring now specifically to FIG. I, a cylinder 2 is shown having a central opening in which a valve 4 is screwingly attached by a wrench inserted in depressions 3 or which may be attached in any suitable manner.

Extending centrally through the valve 4 is a passage 6 through which centrally extends a plunger 8 (hereafter depressor pin 8) having a groove or a slot 10 at its top end which is adapted for the insertion of a screwdriver or a similar device in order to rotate the depressor pin in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The depressor pin is attached by crimping or rolling at its lower end to a housing 12 from which projects one or more pins 14. A valve seat 16 (hereafter upper valve seat 16) is arranged in between housing 12 and depressor pin 8. Depressor pin 8, upper valve seat 16 and rotational pins 14 constitute a unitary structure which can be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction with the rotation of the depressor pin. Rotational pins 14 are adapted to rotatingly drive lower disc valve 18 which is suitably positioned adjacent to liquid withdrawal conduit 20 as will hereinafter be described.

Inserted into valve 4 is bottom closure part No. 40 which closes the bottom opening of valve 4. Extending from part 40 is liquid withdrawal conduit 20 which extends to the bottom of the cylinder for removal of liquid.

The base of valve 4 contains one or more openings 22 for the passage of vapor. The number of these openings, their geometrical configuration and arrangement will be discussed hereafter.

The lower disc valve 18 has openings 24 adapted to slidingly receive pins 14 and is also adapted to be rotatingly driven by means of pins 14. A resilient member such as spring 24 is suitably positioned in housing 12 between the upper part of the lower poppet valve 26 and the internal shoulder of housing 12 sealingly engaging valve seat 28 and slidingly engaging passage 32 of disc valve 18 to provide a means for venting excess pressure from container 2 through openings 32, and openings 31 and 30 in poppet 26, and openings 34 in depressor pin 8 to the atmosphere. Spring 24 is adapted to be compressed by the downward movement of depressor pin 8. Valve seats 16 and 28 insures against leakage when the valve is in its normal closed position. This sealing element can be constructed of plastic, rubber or rubberlike substances which would provide an effective seal between the interior of the cylinder and the hollow passage in the valve body.

The number of openings provided in the bottom closure 40 by members 20 and 22 in the base of valve 4 is not critical per se but should correspond to the number of openings 36 in disc valve 18, as will become apparent from the description of operation of the valve. The configuration of the openings are not critical. They may be oval, circular, rectangular, square or any other shape, so long as sufficient flow area and volume is available to prevent siphoning of liquid during vapor withdrawal operation.

The openings provided by members 20 and 22 in the base of valve 4 are-preferably circumferentially spaced and in such a manner so that the openings 36 of the disc valve 18 may be aligned in a venting relationship with either liquid withdrawal conduit 20 or vapor withdrawal opening 22 but not both. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 2, openings 22 must be completely covered during the liquid withdrawal operation or opening 20 must be similarly covered during the vapor withdrawal operation.

In operating the valve a screwdriver is inserted into slot 10 in the depressor pin 8 to rotate the pin in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, thereby rotating housing 12 and the rotational pins 14, which, in turn, will rotate disc valve 18. The relative position of disc valve 18 during liquid withdrawal operation is shown in FIG. 2 wherein the dotted circles indicate the position of vapor openings 22 during liquid withdrawal. As indicated in FIG. 2, the vapor passages are blocked off by disc valve 18 and only liquid can be withdrawn from valve 4 through conduit 20. When vapor withdrawal is desired, the depressor pin is turned in adirection to rotate disc valve 18 so that openings 22 are aligned with openings 36, thereby permitting the withdrawal of vapor from the cylinder. A charging hose can be attached threadedly onto the valve body to depress the depressor pin thus opening the valve and permitting the withdrawal of the preselected vapor or liquid.

If excess pressure is built up in container 2 due to storage, for example, in an area subjected to excessive heat, such pres sure in the container will be exerted on poppet valve 26 through opening 32 and if the pressure is of sufficient force the biasing spring 24 will yield and pressure will be vented through channels 31, opening 30 in poppet 26 and then through opening 34 in plunger 8, after which such pressure will be vented to the atmosphere through opening 6 in the valve 4. When sufficient pressure is vented off, biasing spring 24 will force poppet valve 26 back into a sealing relation with seat 28 and the valve 4 will again be closed until either excessive pressure is built up in the cylinder 2 or until the valve 4 is operated or manipulated to withdraw vapor or liquid. The biasing pressure exerted by spring 24 with regard to housing 12, poppet valve 26 and disc valve 18 may be fixed at any value consistent with the operation of the valve 4, the safety requirements attendant upon the overall use of the apparatus, such as cylinder wall strength etc., and the gas and liquid held by container 2, all of which is within the skill of the art.

A position-indicating device attached to the valve body, or an internal guide stop can be employed to guide the operator during liquid or vapor withdrawal. Thus a position indicator (not shown) attached to the valve body would instruct the operator in which direction he should turn the depressor pin in order to withdraw either liquid or vapor from the cylinder.

Positive alignment of hole is assured by stop 39 positioned on housing 12 and stop 40 positioned on valve 4. Alternatively, an internal guide could be employed to indicate when the openings 36 of the lower valve seat are in registering relation ship with members or 22.

Although the valve device of this invention has heretofore been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be emphasized that several modifications and revisions may be suggested in the light of the present disclosure which nevertheless fall within the purview of this invention. For example, the pieces of the assembly represented in the drawings may be made by a diecasting or plastic molding or may be machined from bar stock, and then threadedly attached to the cylinder spud.

Although the invention has been described by reference to some preferred embodiments it is not intended that the broad scope of the foregoing vapor-liquid withdrawal valve be limited thereby but that some modifications are intended to be included within the spirit and broad scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A gas-liquid withdrawal valve comprising 1. hollow body means adapted to be fitted to the walls of and communicate with the interior of a closed container, suitable for containing gases and liquids,

2. disc means having at least one opening rotatably mounted in said body,

3. gas withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading gases from a container for gases and liquids into said body,

4. liquid withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading liquid from a container for gases and liquids into said body,

5. means for rotating said disc and said opening to vent either said liquid withdrawal means or said gas withdrawal means into said body,

6. valve means in said body for externally venting said body,

7. externally vented excess pressure relief means in said body responsive to excess fluid pressure buildup when said body is attached to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a container subjected to fluid pressure,

8. single resilient means for biasing both said valve means in a sealing relationship with said body and said externally vented excess pressure relief means in a sealing relationship with said body.

A gas-liquid withdrawal valve comprising hollow body means adapted to be fitted to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a closed container,

suitable for containing gases and liquids,

2. disc means having at least one opening rotatably mounted in said body,

3. gas withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading gases from a container for gases and liquids into said body,

4. liquid withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading liquid from a container for gases and liquids into said body,

5. means for rotating said disc and said opening to vent either said liquid withdrawal means or said gas withdrawal means into said body,

6. valve means in said body for externally venting said body,

7. excess pressure relief means in said body responsive to excessive fluid pressure buildup when said body is attaehed to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a container subjected to fluid pressure,

8. housing means over said excessive pressure relief means which externally vents said body when said excessive pressure release means responds to excessive fluid pressure buildup,

9. single resilient means for biasing both said valve means in a sealing relationship with said body and said externally vented excess pressure relief means in a sealing relationship with said body. p

3. A gas-liquid with rawal valve comprising hollow body means adapted to be fitted to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a closed container, suitable for containing gases and liquids,

2. disc means having at least one opening rotatably mounted in said body,

3. gas withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading gases from a container for gases and liquids into said body,

4. liquid withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading liquid from a container for gases and liquids into said body,

5. excess pressure relief means in said body responsive to excessive fluid pressure buildup when said body is attached to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a container subjected to fluid pressure,

6. housing means in said body for housing said excessive pressure relief means which externally vents said excessive pressure relief means when said excessive pressure relief means responds to excessive fluid pressure buildup said housing means rotatingly engaging said disc means and depressingly engaging said valve means in said body,

7. single resilient means biasing said valve means in a sealing relationship with said body. biasing said excess pressure relief means in a sealing relation with said body and biasing said disc in rotatingly sealing relation with said body and pressure relief mean.

4. A valve comprising hollow body means adapted to be fitted to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a closed container, suitable for containing gases and liquids,

. valve means in said body for externally venting said body, externally vented excess pressure relief means in said body responsive to excess fluid pressure buildup when said body is attached to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a container subjected to fluid pressure,

4. first withdrawal means in said body for leading fluids from a container into said excess pressure relief means,

5. second withdrawal means in said body for leading fluids from a container into said body,

6. single resilient means for biasing both said valve means in a sealing relationship with said body and said externally vented excess pressure relief means in a sealing relationship with said body.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising housing means over said excessive pressure relief means which externally vents said body when said excessive pressure release means responds to excessive fluid pressure buildup. 

2. disc means having at least one opening rotatably mounted in said body,
 2. disc means having at least one opening rotatably mounted in said body,
 2. disc means having at least one opening rotatably mounted in said body,
 2. A gas-liquid withdrawal valve comprising
 2. valve means in said body for externally venting said body,
 3. externally vented excess pressure relief means in said body responsive to excess fluid pressure buildup when said body is attached to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a container subjected to fluid pressure,
 3. gas withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading gases from a container for gases and liquids into said body,
 3. A gas-liquid withdrawal valve comprising
 3. gas withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading gases from a container for gases and liquids into said body,
 3. gas withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading gases from a container for gases and liquids into said body,
 4. liquid withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading liquid from a container for gases and liquids into said body,
 4. liquid withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading liquid from a container for gases and liquids into said body,
 4. liquid withdrawal means in said body next adjacent to said disc for leading liquid from a container for gases and liquids into said body,
 4. A valve comprising
 4. first withdrawal means in said body for leading fluids from a container into said excess pressure relief means,
 5. second withdrawal means in said body for leading fluids from a container into said body,
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising housing means over said excessive pressure relief means which externally vents said body when said excessive pressure release means responds to excessive fluid pressure buildup.
 5. means for rotating said disc and said opening to vent either said liquid withdrawal means or said gas withdrawal means into said body,
 5. excess pressure relief means in said body responsive to excessive fluid pressure buildup when said body is attached to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a container subjected to fluid pressure,
 5. means for rotating said disc and said opening to vent either said liquid withdrawal means or said gas withdrawal means into said body,
 6. valve means in said body for externally venting said body,
 6. housing means in said body for housing said excessive pressure relief means which externally vents said excessive pressure relief means when said excessive pressure relief means responds to excessive fluid pressure buildup said housing means rotatingly engaging said disc means and depressingly engaging said valve means in said body,
 6. valve meanS in said body for externally venting said body,
 6. single resilient means for biasing both said valve means in a sealing relationship with said body and said externally vented excess pressure relief means in a sealing relationship with said body.
 7. excess pressure relief means in said body responsive to excessive fluid pressure buildup when said body is attached to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a container subjected to fluid pressure,
 7. single resilient means biasing said valve means in a sealing relationship with said body, biasing said excess pressure relief means in a sealing relation with said body and biasing said disc in rotatingly sealing relation with said body and pressure relief mean.
 7. externally vented excess pressure relief means in said body responsive to excess fluid pressure buildup when said body is attached to the walls of and communicates with the interior of a container subjected to fluid pressure,
 8. single resilient means for biasing both said valve means in a sealing relationship with said body and said externally vented excess pressure relief means in a sealing relationship with said body.
 8. housing means over said excessive pressure relief means which externally vents said body when said excessive pressure release means responds to excessive fluid pressure buildup,
 9. single resilient means for biasing both said valve means in a sealing relationship with said body and said externally vented excess pressure relief means in a sealing relationship with said body. 